Liverpool is to get a rival in its bid to hold the Commonwealth Games 2026 as Birmingham today [Friday September 30] bid to host the event.

The West Midlands city leaders hope it could benefit from a £390 million economic windfall by winning the chance to hold the games there in a decade’s time.

Its launch follows the move earlier this year by Liverpool Mayor Joe Anderson to bring the 2026 games to the Liverpool city region - and today he welcomed the competition.

He said Liverpool will be “making a strong and powerful case” to host the massive international sporting event, building on its track record including the 2008 European Capital of Culture, the Three Queens and five day music event LIMF “among others, including being chosen to host Armed Forces day next year”.

Mayor Anderson added: “Let’s hope the fact that we were out the starting blocks first is a good omen – we look forward to the competition and making our case.”

And today echoing the Liverpool Mayor’s comments, civic leaders from Birmingham said the sporting event could deliver a “huge economic impact” to the wider West Midlands.

Liverpool City Council .Mayor Joe Anderson with young gymnastic members at the Lifestyles Gym in Park Road Toxteth bidding for the City Region 2026 Commonwealth Games Bid

They highlighted the possible financial legacy of hosting the games by creating thousands of new jobs, benefiting local suppliers, and boosting existing transport and housing plans.

The Glasgow Games in 2014 are said to have generated £740 million for the Scottish economy and brought in 690,000 more visitors, and in 2002 the games were held in Manchester.

Birmingham city council’s leader John Clancy said “you can be sure the games would be a huge success in Birmingham” and added: “We have proven ourselves to be warm, welcoming and friendly hosts to a number of international events in recent years.”

The Birmingham bid’s backers, which include councils and businesses, said the city had a track record of hosting big international sporting events at existing venues like Villa Park, Edgbaston cricket ground and the Alexander Stadium, plus venues outside Birmingham, including the West Bromwich Albion ground and Coventry’s Ricoh Arena.

The games will be at the Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia, in 2018, and the 2022 games is set to take place in Durban, South Africa.

As well as Liverpool the other contenders for the 2026 games are tipped to be Auckland in New Zealand and Edmonton in Canada.

A decision on which UK city will be chosen to go forward with a bid to host the games is due to be made in 2018.

The ultimate choice as to which city will welcome the 2026 games is to be confirmed in September 2019 by the Commonwealth Games General Assembly.